You suffer injuries in a boating accident, and someone else may be at fault. Treat your injuries and continue to do so for as long as your doctor recommends. From here, talk with a boat accident lawyer in Seattle. This is an opportunity to review your legal options and get information about whether you have grounds for a boat accident claim or lawsuit.
Siegfried & Jensen has reported over $1.2 billion in verdicts and settlements for our clients. Let a Seattle personal injury lawyer from our team handle your boat accident case. As we take care of your legal matters, you can focus on your recovery from your accident and injuries. To get started, request a free case evaluation.
Reasons to Proceed with a Boat Accident Claim in Seattle
If you file an insurance claim after a boat accident, you could get money to use for your recovery. Have a boat accident attorney in Seattle examine the specifics of your situation. Depending on the circumstances, your lawyer can help you file your claim and pursue compensation for your boat crash losses from an at-fault party’s insurer.
Your attorney can share FAQs and other legal resources to help you make informed decisions regarding your claim. Ideally, an at-fault party’s insurance company offers a settlement that encompasses your tangible and intangible accident losses. Your lawyer can negotiate the terms of a settlement and provide frequent updates as they do.
As you search for a personal injury attorney to assist you with your boat accident claim, consider Siegfried & Jensen. We have earned many positive client reviews. In your boat collision case, we are dedicated to securing compensation based on the harm that you’ve suffered. For more information, schedule a free case evaluation.
For a free legal consultation with a boat accident lawyer serving Seattle, call (801) 266-0999
How an Insurance Company May Try to Devalue Your Boating Accident Claim
You want outstanding case results from your boating accident claim. Unfortunately, a liable party’s insurance company may dispute liability for your boat accident. Or, the insurer could delay your claim or offer a settlement that covers only a fraction of your losses from the incident.
Expect your Seattle boat accident lawyer to commit substantial time and resources to negotiate your settlement agreement. At the same time, your attorney will treat your case as if it will have to go in front of a judge or jury. That way, if a lawsuit and trial are necessary, your lawyer will be prepared to argue your case in court.
According to the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 4.16.080, if you’re injured in a boat crash and someone else may be at fault, you have up to three years from the date of the incident to sue. Due to this, it may be beneficial to speak with personal injury lawyers immediately after your boat accident. At this time, your lawyer will help you file your claim or lawsuit right away.
Seattle Boat Accident Lawyer Near Me (801) 266-0999
Compensation That You Could Recover in a Boat Accident Case
The damages that you can sue for after an accident in Washington vary based on your losses from the incident. Personal injury attorneys want you to recover economic and non-economic damages for your quantifiable and subjective boat accident losses. Below are some of the types of damages that a judge or jury may award:
- Medical expenses
- Costs of repairing your damaged boat
- Loss of income
- Diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Burial and funeral expenses if you lose a family member in a fatal boat accident
Per Chapter 4.22 RCW, you are subject to pure comparative negligence if you sue someone for a boat accident. In this scenario, if you’re found to be partly liable for the accident, what you receive in damages will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
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Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Boating Accident
Boating accident attorneys will perform investigations to assess liability. Your lawyer will interview witnesses who saw your boat accident, review incident reports, and take other measures to investigate. They may find that any of these parties are to blame for your accident:
- The driver of the boat you were in at the time of your accident
- The driver of another boat involved in your accident
- A boat owner
- A dock owner
- Someone on your boat or another who did things to interfere with the driver’s ability to operate the vessel safely
Accident reports, GPS and navigation logs, witness statements, weather or water condition reports, maintenance logs, and other evidence may help your lawyer prove that one or more parties is at fault for your boating accident.
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How to Prove Negligence in a Boat Accident Case
Personal injury lawyers develop arguments around negligence. If your boat accident case reaches trial, your attorney will argue to a judge or jury that the defendant violated their duty of care to you. They will also detail how this breach of duty contributed to your accident, injuries, and damages.
For example, you may have been harmed in a boat crash that occurred due to an individual’s reckless operation of the vessel. Your lawyer will describe to a judge or jury how this individual did things like ignore posted wake zones or fail to keep a proper lookout for hazards. In addition, they will utilize various forms of evidence to highlight causation and your accident losses.
Expect the defendant to contest your case against them. Regardless, your lawyer is ready to stand up to a judge or jury for you. As your attorney presents their argument, they want to make it clear to a judge or jury why your damages request is valid. Because if their argument resonates in court, you may be in a great position to receive compensation.
Get Our Boating Accident Attorneys on Your Side
Trust Siegfried & Jensen for legal guidance and support with your boating accident case. With a Seattle boat accident attorney from our team at your disposal, you will be well-equipped to recover compensatory damages through a claim or lawsuit. Contact us today.
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